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Former IRS Chief Joins D.C. Office

January 31, 2002

In Depth

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The international law firm of McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce that Jerry E. Holmes has joined the Firm’s Tax Department as counsel, resident in the Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Holmes previously served as Chief of Branch 2, the Office of Associate Chief Counsel - Tax Exempt and Government Entities at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). At McDermott Mr. Holmes will provide tax advice on employment, fringe benefits, worker classification and litigation matters.

"Jerry, who is described by many government administrators as the country's foremost authority on employment taxes and fringe benefits, will be a significant asset to our clients and our tax practice," commented Stephen Wells, head of the Firm’s D.C. tax practice.

The Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TEGE) branch provides IRS legal services on matters involving qualified and nonqualified deferred compensation, cafeteria plans, employee-independent contractor classifications, executive compensation, welfare benefits, fringe benefits, exempt organizations and employment taxes. Under the leadership of Mr. Holmes, the TEGE was the first IRS branch to become fully integrated with both interpretative and litigation authority.

"The knowledge and experience Jerry has gained from his almost 30 years of service and leadership at the IRS will enhance and complement the payroll tax and fringe benefit services we already provide to clients," commented David Fuller, tax partner, resident in the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

Mr. Holmes was responsible for training virtually all of the IRS' agents and appeals officers on payroll tax, fringe benefits and worker classification issues. During the past 15 years, he has taken a lead role in crafting IRS guidance, litigation positions and IRS training materials in these three important practice areas.

Mr. Holmes attended both George Washington University and University of Maryland (B.A., 1970) and received his law degree from the American University (J.D., 1974). Mr. Holmes is a member of the Maryland Bar.